John Battie’s council home in Cowper Road, Tilbury, was hit hard as storms battered the borough.

But by the time the council had delivered sandbags, a huge puddle had formed outside his house and begun seeping in under the door, ruining his wooden floor.

Mr Battie, 68, and his wife Juliet have even bought wellies - just to get in and out of the house.

He wants a pump to get the water out of his front garden and prevent more damage being done to his beloved home of 40 years.

The former welder said: “I told the council we would have problems but they didn’t act. By the time they brought sandbags, it was too late.

“I was reporting problems a week before Christmas. Since then I’ve been asking for a pump so I can clear the water but they say they can’t and won’t supply it. It’s all about money and I’m sure there are people far worse affected than me.”

A council spokesman said: “The council does not carry such a pump in its stock.

“However, the pump would not have prevented flooding, it would simply have pumped flood water out. The tenant was informed of this.”

Comments (1)

Take a broom, sweep the water away from the door. As for the damage, that's what contents insurance is for. Simple.

Just another story of someone expecting everything for nothing and all before it happens as well. If this was his own home and not council owned, what would he do? Suck it up and deal with it, not go running and crying to the papers.

Take a broom, sweep the water away from the door. As for the damage, that's what contents insurance is for. Simple.
Just another story of someone expecting everything for nothing and all before it happens as well. If this was his own home and not council owned, what would he do? Suck it up and deal with it, not go running and crying to the papers.I-say-you-say